Steering apparatus

ABSTRACT

A steering apparatus capable of accurately recognizing operations of an operation section and of reducing the number of parts and simplifying its structure. The steering apparatus is composed of a steering wheel for controlling movements, operation sections mounted on the steering wheel for operating equipment, and a vibration section for giving vibrations to at least a portion of the steering wheel in relation to the operations of said operation sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a steering apparatus to bemounted on a motor vehicle, and more particularly to a steeringapparatus in which an operating section (for example, switches) foroperating other equipment (for example, vehicle mounted equipment) areinstalled on a steering wheel so that the other equipment are operablewhile the steering wheel is operated.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] So far, switches for operating vehicle mounted equipment (forexample, a car audio system, a car airconditioner and others) haveadditionally been installed on a steering wheel of a motor vehicle,while a conventional steering apparatus has been made such that atactile response to the on/off of a switch has not developed and theconfirmation on the on/off operation of the switch has been made byviewing a monitor display unit or the like placed nearby. However,difficulty is encountered to confirm it while viewing the monitordisplay unit during the vehicle driving, and even it is troublesome indriving operation.

[0005] For eliminating these drawbacks, there has been proposed astructure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As FIG. 5 shows, retractableprojections 102 are provided in close vicinity to each other on acircumferential surface of a grip section 101 of a joy stick 100, withfour projections 102 being arranged vertically while four projections102 being arranged horizontally, sixteen in total.

[0006] As FIG. 6 shows, the positions of the projections 102 correspondsrespectively to portions designated at numeral 104 when the driver gripsthe grip section 101 with his hand 103, that is, to the finger tips andthe intermediate portions of the first to fourth fingers of the hand 103and the portions of the palm close to the bases of the fingers. Althoughnot illustrated, inside each of the projections 102, there is provided avibration means with a piezoelectric device whereby the projection 102individually undergoes vibration control.

[0007] When the grip section 101 is held with the hand 103 so that thejoy stick 100 is inclined in a desired direction, not only the operationof vehicle mounted equipment is made through a generated output signalaccompanying that operation but also the aforesaid vibration means isdriven on the basis of the same output signal to transmit vibration tothe projection 102. The hand 103 can sense the vibrating projection 102through a tactile impression and, therefore, the driver can confirm thevehicle mounted equipment, being currently in operation, through thehand 103.

[0008] In this way, since the operation of vehicle mounted equipment isconfirmable through the tactile sense of the hand 103, it is possible toeliminate the need for viewing the monitor display unit, and this ishandy. However, even in this instance, the drawbacks still exist.

[0009] That is, this joy stick 100 requires a large number ofprojections 102, vibration means corresponding to each of theprojections 102, control means for drive-controlling a large number ofvibration means individually, which leads to an increase in the numberof parts, a complication in its structure, an increase in its size, arise in its manufacturing cost, and a trouble of assembling work.

[0010] In addition, since an individual difference exists in the size ofthe hand 103 which is to operate the joy stick 100, that is, in thepositions signified at the reference numerals 104, a difference mayoccur in sensing the vibrating projection 102 in the tactile way, whichmakes it difficult to accurately confirm the operation of the vehiclemounted equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been developed in order toeliminate such drawbacks inherent in the conventional technique, and itis an object of this invention to provide a steering apparatus which iscapable of accurately recognizing an operation by an operation section,coupled with reducing the number of parts, simplifying its construction,reducing its size and manufacturing cost and simplifying its assemblingwork.

[0012] This object is achievable by a first means comprising a steeringwheel for controlling movements (for example, forward and backwarddirections, and other directions), an operation section (for example,switches) installed on the steering wheel for operating other equipment(for example, vehicle mounted equipment, and a vibration means (forexample, a vibration system including a solenoid) for giving vibrationsto at least a portion of the steering wheel in accordance with theoperation of the operation section.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforesaid object is achievable in a manner that,in the aforesaid first means, a second means is constructed to givevibrations in different modes to the steering wheel in accordance withthe contents of the operation of the operation section (for example,volume control in a car audio system, and air quantity control in a carair conditioner).

[0014] Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by theaforesaid first or second means involving a third means in which thesteering wheel is a steering wheel in a motor vehicle and the otherequipment is equipment mounted on the motor vehicle.

[0015] Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by the firstmeans involving a fourth means in which the vibration means isincorporated into the steering wheel.

[0016] Still further, the aforesaid object is achievable by theaforesaid first or fourth means involving a fifth means wherebyvibrations generated from the vibration means are transmitted through anelastic member (for example, rubber and others) to a surface of thesteering wheel.

[0017] For achieving the aforesaid object, the aforesaid first or fourthmeans involves a sixth means in which a vibration transmission cover isprovided on a surface of the steering wheel.

[0018] For achieving the aforesaid objection, the aforesaid first orsecond means includes a seventh means in which a plurality of equipmentare operated by the aforesaid operation section and the equipment to beoperated is selectable through a selection means.

[0019] For achieving the aforesaid object, the aforesaid first, secondor seventh means is based upon an eighth means in which a plurality ofoperation sections are installed on the steering wheel and each ofvibrations different in mode is given to the steering wheel in relationto each of the operation sections.

[0020] As described above, in this invention, a vibration means isprovided to give to the steering wheel vibration corresponding to theoperation of the operation section, so that a tactile response returnsto the palm of the driver at the manipulation of the operation section.Additionally, since the positions receiving the vibrations are not thefingertips or the intermediate portions of the fingers, the response canaccurately be made irrespective of the size of the hand. Thus, it ispossible to recognize the operation by the operation section precisely.

[0021] Moreover, at least one vibration means will do, which enablesfurther reduction of the number of parts, further simplification of itsstructure, further reduction of manufacturing cost and furthersimplification of assembling work as compared with the techniquesproposed so far.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The object and features of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingsin which:

[0023]FIG. 1 is a top view showing a steering apparatus according to anembodiment of this invention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line 2-2of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control section including thesteering apparatus;

[0026]FIG. 4 is an illustration of pulse waveforms to be supplied to avibration means of the steering apparatus;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an signal inputting unitproposed so far; and

[0028]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a hand which operates the signalinput unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Referring to the drawings, a description will be made hereinbelowof an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a top view showinga steering apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention, FIG.2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along a line 2-2 of FIG. 1,FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control section including thesteering apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an illustration of pulse waveforms tobe supplied to a vibration means of the steering apparatus.

[0030] A generally circular steering wheel 1 is composed of a steeringcore 2, a pad 3, a body of equipment 4, a body cover 5 (see FIG. 2) andothers, and is connected rotatably through a steering wheel shaft (notshown) to a vehicle body.

[0031] As FIG. 1 shows, on an upper surface of the steering wheel 1, inthe vicinity of a central portion of a right-hand outer circumferentialsection of the steering wheel 1 there are placed first to third switches6 to 8, while in the vicinity of a central portion of a left-hand outercircumferential section thereof there are disposed fourth to sixthswitches 9 to 11. Since the frequency that the driver puts his hands onthe vicinity of the central portions of the right- and left-hand outercircumferential sections of the steering wheel 1 is high, if the variousswitches 6 to 11 are disposed near these places, for the manipulationsof the switches 6 to 11, there is no need to take the trouble to shifthis hands, and it is convenient.

[0032] The first switch 6, the second switch 7, the fourth switch 9 andthe fifth switch 10 are made using a rotary push switch, while the thirdswitch 8 and the sixth switch 11 is constructed using a push switch,with each of the switches 6 to 11 being coupled to a wiring board 12 asshown in FIG. 2.

[0033] In this instance, the right-hand first to third switches 6 to 8constitute a group of switches for operating a car audio system, and thefirst switch 6 takes charge of control of the volume, the second switch7 is for controlling the tuning, the third switch 8 is for performingthe ON/OFF of a power supply. On the other hand, the left-hand fourth tosixth switches organizes a group of switches for operating a car airconditioner, and the fourth switch 9 controls the increase/decrease inair quantity, the fifth switch 10 controls the increase/decrease intemperature set for the interior of the motor vehicle and the sixthswitch 11 selects a rec. fresh (circulation of air in the interior of acar or introduction of air from the exterior of the car).

[0034] In this instance, although the description is made of theoperations of the car audio system and the air conditioner, it ispossible to operate other vehicle mounted equipment such as a navigationsystem and a power window system, and the object to be operated canproperly be selected through a mode switch 19 (see FIG. 2) installedadditionally on the steering wheel 1.

[0035] In the case that vibrations are transmitted to the body of thesteering wheel 1, since the body has a large volume and a heavy weight,if the vibrations are transmitted directly thereto, the vibrations tendto become weak. On the other hand, if the vibrations are transmitted toa vibration transmission cover which is of a relatively small volume anda relatively light weight, strong vibrations can be given to the drivergripping the vicinity of the vibration transmission cover by his hands.Thus, a vibration transmission cover 13, made from a plastic sheet, isplaced on a lower surface in the vicinity of central portions of right-and left-hand outer circumferential section of the steering wheel 1, andas shown in FIG. 2 a solenoid 15, serving as a vibration source, isdisposed through an elastic member 14, such as a rubber, a cellularresin and a cloth on the inside of the vibration transmission cover 13.As shown in FIG. 1, a vibrator 17 is placed through a coil spring 16 ona tip portion of the solenoid 15. The vibrations from the vibrator 17driven by the solenoid 15 are transmitted through the elastic member 14to the vibration transmission cover 13 so that the driver can sense thevibrations in a tactile way.

[0036] If the vibrations are transmitted through the elastic member 14like this embodiment, soft and comfortable vibrations can be given tothe hands. In addition, the installation of the vibration transmissioncover 13 allows the vibrations to be transmitted through a relativelylarge area to the driver. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 18 represents alead wire connected to the solenoid 15.

[0037]FIG. 3 is an illustration of one example of control section. Asshown in this illustration, each of switch signals 32 from various typesof switches 31 (that is, the first to sixth switches 6 to 11, the modeswitch 19, and others) is inputted through an input port 33 to a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 34. Further, the CPU 34 also receives a signal36 from a keyboard switch 35 installed additionally on a monitor displayunit or the like. On the basis of the inputted signal 36 and the switchsignal 36, the CPU 34 outputs a display signal 37 to a monitor displayunit 38 based upon a display so that an operating state of a vehiclemounted equipment or the like appears thereon.

[0038] A vibration signal 40 from the CPU 34 is inputted through anoutput port 39 to a vibration means 41 (composed of the solenoid 15, thevibrator 17, and others) which in turn, is driven in a peculiarvibration mode in accordance with the contents of the vibration signal40.

[0039]FIG. 4 is an illustration of examples of pulse waveforms to besupplied to the solenoid 15 acting as a vibration source of thevibration means 41. In this illustration, character A indicates that onepulse energization is made periodically to the solenoid 15 so that onevibration is given to the driver gripping the steering wheel 1 by hispalm. Further, character B indicates that two-pulses energization ismade periodically so that two vibrations are given periodically thereto,while character C indicates that three vibrations are given thereto. Inthis way, the number of vibrations can be increased gradually. Stillfurther, character D indicates that a large number of pulse currents aresupplied for a constant period of time so that vibrations continueduring this time period.

[0040] Although in the case indicated by the characters A to D thestrength (amplitude of the vibrations) is constant, in the caseindicated characters E to J, the strength (amplitude) of vibrations ismade to vary. That is, the character E shows that two-pulse energizationis made to give strong and weak vibrations periodically, and thecharacter F shows that, conversely, two-pulse energization is made togive weak and strong vibrations periodically. Further, the character Gshows that three-pulse energization is made to give strong, weak andstrong vibrations periodically, while the character H shows that, on thecontrary, three-pulse energization is made to give weak, strong and weakvibrations periodically. Moreover, character I shows that the vibrationvaries to be strengthened gradually, while character J shows that thevibration varies to be weakened gradually. Such various types of, i.e.,different, vibration modes are set in advance, and the selection of thevibration modes is made by the CPU 34.

[0041] These vibration modes are set individually in correspondingrelation to the aforesaid first to sixth switches 6 to 11. For instance,in the case that the volume is turned up with the first switch 6, in thecase that the air quantity is increased with the fourth switch 9 and inthe case that the setting temperature for the vehicle interior is raisedwith the fifth switch 10, the vibration mode indicated by the characterI in FIG. 4 is set where the vibration becomes stronger gradually. Onthe other hand, in the case that the volume is turned down with thefirst switch 6, in the case that the air quantity is decreased with thefourth switch 9, and in the case that the setting temperature for thevehicle interior is lowered with the fifth switch 10, the vibration modeindicated by the character J in FIG. 4 is set where the vibrationbecomes weaker gradually. Besides, even in the case of the vibrationmodes indicated by the characters I and J, the vibration strength and/orthe vibration interval vary in relation to the switches; therefore, theclear distinction among the switches manipulated is possible with thevibration states.

[0042] In the case of the tuning by the second switch 7, like thevibration modes indicated by the characters A, B, C, xxx, the number ofvibration (frequency) is set to vary in accordance with the channels.Further, in the case of the turning-on/off of the power supply by thethird switch 8, for example, for the turning-on of the power supply, thevibration mode indicated by the character F is set where the strength ofvibration assumes weak and then strong values. Conversely, for theturning-off of the power supply, the vibration mode indicated by thecharacter E is set where the strength of vibration assumes strong andthen weak values. For the selection to the circulation of air inside themotor vehicle made with the sixth switch 11, the vibration modeindicated by the character G is set, and for the selection to theintroduction of air from the external, the vibration mode indicated bythe character H is set.

[0043] It is also appropriate that a predetermined vibration mode isassigned to a particularly important operation section, whereas apredetermined vibration mode different therefrom is allocated to each ofall the other operation sections, thereby making the particularlyimportant operation section outstanding.

[0044] Although in this embodiment one vibration means is provided ateach of the right- and left-hand outer circumferential sections of thesteering wheel, this invention is not limited to this, but it is alsopossible that vibration means are provided individually (for example,under the operation sections) in relation to the operation sections(switches), or that the whole steering wheel is vibrated by onevibration means in each of vibration modes. In the case of the latter,the vibration means may be fitted to the steering wheel shaft.

[0045] In this embodiment, although the switches are used as theoperation sections, this invention is not limited to this, it is alsopossible to mount, in the steering wheel, a slide type operation sectionin which an operating end is pushed and pulled, a rotating (rotary) typeoperation section in which an operating end is rotationally driven orrotated, or a joy stick type operation section with an operating lever.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although a solenoid is used as avibration means, it is also acceptable to use other devices, forexample, a piezoelectric device, a vibrator in which an eccentric weightis provided on a shaft of a small-sized motor, a hydraulic system or thelike. In addition, it is also appropriate to use both tactile responsesby vibrations and responses based on a sound (for example, a voice, amelody, a chime sound, a buzzer sound, or the like).

[0047] Still further, although the description of this embodiment hasbeen made in terms of a steering apparatus for a motor vehicle, thisinvention is not limited to this, but is also applicable to steeringapparatus for others, such as airplanes, ships, various types of workingvehicles.

[0048] In accordance with a first aspect or form of this invention, asdescribed above vibration means is provided to provide vibrations to asteering wheel in accordance with operations of operation sections,which returns responses to the palm of the driver, which manipulates theoperation sections, in a tactile way. In addition, since the vibrationpositions do not correspond to the fingertips or the finger intermediateportions unlike the technique proposed hitherto, the operation isrecognizable irrespective of the size of the hand and others. Thus, itis possible to accurately recognize the operation of the operationsection.

[0049] Furthermore, only one vibration means will do, thus reducing thenumber of parts, simplifying the structure, reducing the size andsimplifying the assembling work as compared with the conventionaltechnique.

[0050] In accordance with a second form of this invention, sincevibrations are given to a steering wheel in a different modecorresponding to the contents of the operation of an operation section,more accurate recognition of the operational contents is feasible.

[0051] In accordance with third and fourth forms of this invention, thesteering wheel is for a motor vehicle and other equipment are vehiclemounted equipment, which allows various types of equipment such as a caraudio system, a car airconditioner, a navigation system, a power windowsystem and others to be operated while operating the steering wheel.This is convenient.

[0052] In accordance with a fifth form of this invention, since thevibration means is built in the steering wheel, the vibration means doesnot protrude from the steering wheel, with the result that theinstallation of the vibration means does not interfere with the steeringwheel operation.

[0053] In accordance with sixth and seventh forms of this invention,since the vibration from the vibration means are transmitted through anelastic member to a surface of the steering wheel, the driver's handscan sense soft and comfortable vibrations.

[0054] In accordance with eighth and ninth forms of this invention,since a vibration transmission cover is placed on a surface of thesteering wheel, the vibrations can be transmitted through a relativelylarge area to the driver.

[0055] In accordance with tenth and eleventh forms of this invention,since the equipment to be operated are selectable through a selectionmeans, the range of the equipment to be operated is extendible.

[0056] In accordance with twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth forms ofthis invention, since a plurality of operation sections are mounted onthe steering wheel and vibrations different in mode depending upon theoperations of the operation sections are given to the steering wheel,the contents operable in one equipment are enlargeable.

[0057] It should be understood that the foregoing relates to onlypreferred embodiments of the present invention, and that it is intendedto cover all changes and modifications of the embodiment of theinvention herein used for the purpose of the disclosure, which do notconstitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A steering apparatus comprising: a steering wheelfor controlling movements; an operation section mounted on said steeringwheel for operating equipment; and vibration means for giving vibrationsto at least a portion of said steering wheel in relation to theoperation of said operation section.
 2. A steering apparatus as definedin claim 1 , wherein the vibrations are given in different modes to saidsteering wheel in accordance with the contents of the operation of saidoperation section.
 3. A steering apparatus as defined in claim 1 ,wherein said steering wheel is a steering wheel to be used in a motorvehicle and said equipment is equipment mounted on said motor vehicle.4. A steering apparatus as defined in claim 2 , wherein said steeringwheel is a steering wheel to be used in a motor vehicle and saidequipment is equipment mounted on said motor vehicle.
 5. A steeringapparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein said vibration means is builtin said steering wheel.
 6. A steering apparatus as defined in claim 1 ,wherein the vibrations generated from said vibration means aretransmitted through an elastic member to a surface of said steeringwheel.
 7. A steering apparatus as defined in claim 4 , wherein thevibrations generated from said vibration means are transmitted throughan elastic member to a surface of said steering wheel.
 8. A steeringapparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein a vibration transmission coveris provided on a surface of said steering wheel.
 9. A steering apparatusas defined in claim 4 , wherein a vibration transmission cover isprovided on a surface of said steering wheel.
 10. A steering apparatusas defined in claim 1 , wherein a plurality of equipment including saidequipment are provided to be operated by said operation section, andsaid equipment to be operated is selected from said plurality ofequipment through selection means.
 11. A steering apparatus as definedin claim 2 , wherein a plurality of equipment including said equipmentare provided to be operated by said operation section, and saidequipment to be operated is selected from said plurality of equipmentthrough selection means.
 12. A steering apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality of operation sections including said operationsection are mounted on said steering wheel, and each of vibrationsdifferent in mode from each other is given to said steering wheel inrelation to each of the operation sections.
 13. A steering apparatus asdefined in claim 2 , wherein a plurality of operation sections includingsaid operation section are mounted on said steering wheel, and each ofvibrations different in mode from each other is given to said steeringwheel in relation to each of the operation sections.
 14. A steeringapparatus as defined in claim 7 , wherein a plurality of operationsections including said operation section are mounted on said steeringwheel, and each of vibrations different in mode from each other is givento said steering wheel in relation to each of the operation sections.